Smitten: A Mafia Romance — Chapter 22

Korina sighed immediately Cole stopped the car. They were finally making a stop after driving for minutes unending.

All the way she kept chanting prayers and considered calling for help cause she didn't fully trust him and the ride was taking too long for her liking.

"Here we are." Cole announced, she looked around the surroundings. They were parked in front of a building that looked like a casino, Korina was dead sure that it was a Casino considering the structure and bright neon lights.

"You brought me to a casino?" Korina asked him, her face dropping in shock, "You seriously brought me to a Casino on our first date."

"No! God no." Cole laughed, "Every one thinks it's a casino at first, wait till we get inside." He said unbuckling his seat belt and she undid hers too. He got down from the car, rushed to her side to open the door.

"I can see you are a gentleman." She teased highlighting, he still held the door open.

"Anything for you Korina, anything." He brought his arm and she linked hers with his, they both walked into the restaurant.

Getting comfy on the first date aye? She thought snickering inwardly.

Cole was right, Korina knew he was immediately they got into the place. The exterior of the restaurant looked like a Casino while the interior looked like that of any other regular restaurant.

"Wow, this place is filled up." She said looking around the crowded dining area, a lot of people were seated and she wondered if they would get one.

"Yea it is." Cole agreed, "They are more functional mainly at night."

They met a waiter who guided them to their sits at the far end of the room, a little secluded. Cole pulled out Korina's seat for her before taking his.

"So how often do you bring girls here?" She asked.

"What! Excuse me?" Cole let out a nervous laugh handing her the menu.

"How often do you bring girls here?" She asked again, "You know on dates."

Cole laughed, "I hardly go on dates."

"I find that hard to believe." Korina argued.

"Well, with work and everything." He explained, "I don't even have time for myself not to talk of dates."

"Really?"

"Yea." He sighed, "And I haven't really found someone that tickles my fancy as much as you do." He winked and Korina rolled her eyes.

"So, what are you having?" He asked her.

"I am thinking lasagna." She replied still skeptical.

"I am going to have that too." Cole said, "Their lasagna here is wonderful, waiter!." He called flagging one over.

"Good evening." The waiter greeted, he was standing beside their table, holding a clipboard and a pen.

"Good evening." Korina and Cole replied.

"May I take your orders?" He asked.

"Yes of course." Cole answered sitting up rightly, "Two plates of lasagna and..." He stopped, "What drink would you like Korina?" He asked facing her.

"Any drink you order is fine."

"Okay." Cole said and then turned to the waiter, "That would be two plates of lasagna and any bottle of non-alcoholic red wine you have."

"And for desert?" He asked, jotting down their orders.

"Scones would be delightful." Korina answered, "You like scones don't you?" She asked Cole.

"Well who doesn't?" He asked with a light laugh.

"Any thing else?"

"No, that would be all." He told the waiter waving him away.

Their food came minutes later, Korina and Cole were already deep into it devouring with sighs of pleasure as the food was pleasing to their taste buds.

"Wow." Korina said, "I have never had lasagna this good."

"I told you the food was heaven." Cole sighed, "Wine?" He asked lifting the bottle.

"Yes please."

"So..." Cole began talking after pouring the wine, "Tell me more about yourself."

"You are the one that asked me on this date, so you I suppose you go first." She pointed out.

"Fine, fine, I will."

"So..."

"Uh....so I am 26 years old and as you know already, I am doctor, born in England, I occasionally came here for holidays before moving over here permanently although I usually go home for holidays tho."

"Uh..huh..go on."

"I have 3 older siblings."

"So, you are the last?"

"Yes, I am."

"You must be mama's boy then."

"Well." Cole said laughing, "You got that right, my parents are still in England and I said I go back to visit sometimes."

"Any hobbies?" Korina asked.

"Saving lives."

"I meant apart from work." She scoffed.

"Do you read?" She asked, "Who's your favorite novelist or author."

"I don't read novels."

"Oh." She said, she was disappointed, "Tell me more about your job."

"Well..." He started, "you see..."

Korina didn't get to talk about herself anymore as Cole got carried away and talked about his occupation extensively. She deduced that he was passionate and in love with his job.

They were done with the date and were headed for the car now.

"So sorry I got carried away talking about myself." Cole apologised as soon as they got into the car.

"It's okay." Korina said, "Shows you must really be passionate about it

" Yes, I am." He smiled starting the car.

The drive back home was way longer than when they were on their way to the restaurant earlier.

Korina even dosed off and Cole occasionally stole glances at her face, he thought her features were quite exceptional.

"We are here." Cole announced turning off the ignition as they had reached her apartment, he looked over at her, "Korina." He called trying to wake her.

"Wake up." He said tapping her sides.

"Hmm." She turned over, getting more comfortable in the seat.

"Wake up Korina." He tapped harder.

She opened her eyes, looking around she saw they were at her apartment, she realised she must have slept hard.

They both got down and walked to the entrance of the building.

"So I have to go now." Korina said, "Thanks for the wonderful night, I had a great time."

"My pleasure, thank you for accepting to go on a date with me."

"So let's call it a night then."

"Yes."

Korina turned to go but was stopped when Cole called her.

"Yes Cole?"

"Uhh." He scratched his hair, "Would you love to go on a second date?" He asked, "I promise I won't get carried away this time."

"I will think about it." She said, "Goodnight Cole." She pulled him into a hug which he gladly accepted.

She pulled away and walked towards the building.

"Good night Korina." He whispered as he stood there watching her retreating figure fade gradually.